Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the United Nations, at the 9746th meeting of the United Nations Security Council on “The Situation in the Middle East” (Lebanon)
Thank you, Madame President,
I thank USG DiCarlo and USG Lacroix for their briefings on the deeply troubling and worsening situation in Lebanon and welcome the participation of the representatives of Lebanon, Israel, and other member states in today’s meeting.
Madame President,
The situation in Lebanon continues to worsen with each passing day, even as the wider Middle East becomes more volatile.
We have noted that Israel continues to expand its military operations in Lebanon, with new divisions joining the ground invasion, while describing what was taking place as “a limited operation” or “localized and targeted ground raids”.
Guyana is concerned about the relentless bombardment across the Lebanese territory, from its southern coastline to the heart of its capital, resulting in the killing of over 2000 people and injury to more than 10,000 according to the Lebanese Ministry of Health.
The Lebanese authorities have also reported that over 185,000 Internally Displaced People have been registered in shelters and that from 23rd September to 9th October, more than 400,000 Syrian and Lebanese citizens have fled to Syria. Meanwhile, airstrikes launched by Hezbollah are also responsible for the death, injury and displacement of Israeli citizens.
Even more worrying, is the fact that the Prime Minister of Israel is now warning the Lebanese people that Lebanon could become the next Gaza and urging them to “save Lebanon before it falls into the abyss of a long war that will lead to destruction and suffering like we see in Gaza.”
This Council must spare no effort to avert a repeat of a Gaza-like scenario in Lebanon.
Further adding to this concern, is the report emerging today of a plan by the Israel Land Authority to seize the land of UNRWA’s headquarters in Jerusalem. What this new disruption can mean for the millions of displaced Palestinians that depend on UNRWA for vital services like food, healthcare, and education is unbearable to even contemplate.
The relentless intensification of attacks against this UN agency and its staff must stop. UNRWA is the backbone of the humanitarian operations in Gaza and often the primary source of aid in the region. Compromising its operations means putting the survival of millions of people at risk. As Guyana said yesterday, the UN and all peace-loving countries must not allow Israel to shutter UNRWA and with it, lifesaving support to millions of Palestinians. Let us act now to safeguard the purposes and principles of the United Nations – principles which we all vowed to hold sacred.
Madame President,
Guyana reiterates its call on all parties to this conflict to immediately cease hostilities and to uphold their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, and in particular, the sacred obligation to ensure the protection of civilians.
We must use every tool at our disposal to ensure full compliance with IHL and the protection of civilians; to ensure that the parties comply fully with Security Council resolutions 1701 and 1559; and to find a diplomatic solution that ends this escalation of violence. A strategy of de-escalation through escalation will not only fail but would almost guarantee a continuation of this very cycle of violence that we’re seeing today.
Madame President,
Guyana once again appeals to all parties to guarantee the safety and security of UNIFIL personnel. They have operated over the last year under extremely difficult circumstances and are now being placed at risk of injury or even death.
We must register our grave concern about recent developments close to the UN positions. The reports this morning of two UN peacekeepers being injured after an IDF Merkava tank fired its weapon toward an observation tower at UNIFIL’s headquarters in Naqoura, directly hitting it, is deeply troubling. This recent attack also comes on the heels of earlier firing from IDF Merkava tanks which damaged the external wall of the UN position, a UN bunker and UN vehicles. This cannot be allowed to continue.
UNIFIL’s ability to safely execute its mandate, as authorized by this Council, is critical. We, the members of this Council must continue to collectively insist upon the parties upholding their obligations with regard to peacekeeper safety and security, as well as international law.
Madam President,
As dismal as the situation appears, we cannot allow a sense of helplessness to lead us to hopelessness. Diplomacy provides us with the tools to halt the march towards a regional war and to illuminate a path for the restoration of peace for the people of Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and across the Middle East.
I thank you.
